Fun Trail Ride - Georgefield, Hants County September 26, 2010
Wendy Vissers of Stewiacke will be hosting the next Fun Ride at her family campsite in Georgefield, on the Georgefield Road.
Wendy says the the trails are old logging roads that have grown over - meaning that there is grass on them, but she wouldn't call them turf. It's pretty easy going and we should be able to move on in places if the group wants to up the pace. There is a small section of road which is pavement, but the traffic on this road is very light.
Georgefield is found from highway 14 - from Rawdon, head towards Elmsdale.
When you get to Cheese Factory corner turn left up the hill - the old road towards Shubenacadie.
From Elmsdale head towards Rawdon.
When you get to Cheese Factory corner turn right up the hill - the old road towards Shubenacadie.
From the turn at Cheese Factory Corner to the Georgefield Road is about 10 km.
Trailer drivers take note: There is a big hill on this road that you will travel down.
The Georgefield Road is on the left and it is signed.
I plan to mark with red balloons.
There are no other turns to make - Georgefield Road will take you past the dump - just keep going until you see signs that I will have up (probably pie plates) telling you that the driveway is coming up. The driveway is on the left and there is a black iron gate at the bottom and a log cabin at the top. The cabin will be open so we have a washroom and full kitchen if we need. There is an outdoor well with lots of good drinking water. The trail won't have much for drinking maybe some puddles.
Everyone is welcome and I don't need to know the number of people coming - but if anyone has questions about directions they can call me 639-1243.
Start time: 10 AM and we will have a tail gate lunch when we finish the ride.
RIDE #3: 24 July, 2010. In the background is Blomidon and Minas Basin as seen from South Mountain, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
TWO FUN RIDES FOR SEPTEMBER!! SEPT 11 and 26, 2010
We are so lucky: we are going to have 2 September rides to enjoy – this Saturday and the also Sunday September 26.
This next ride is coming up fast: September 11 to be exact … that is THIS Saturday! Due to a scheduling conflict between our Georgefield venue (where we were supposed to be) and the local rifle range, we will instead be holding this Saturday’s ride in Earltown, 20 minutes outside of Truro. The Georgefield ride has been postponed tentatively to Sunday September 26 (details will follow at a later date).
Because this is a last minute venue change (as it was only just realized that we were not able to avoid active times on the rifle range in Georgefield on the Saturday date) on very short notice a brave host has ‘volunteered’ their farm in Earltown. Our hosts, Peter Watson and Bea Guimond, have not yet moved onto this lovely piece of property, but they have wanted to invite our group for a while and hope that this will be the first of many horse related activities that they will be able to host in coming years.
I am describing this ride as an ‘Exploration Ride’, as we have not had time to create the ‘perfect loops’ for our type of rides, and there are a lot of the trails that are begging to be explored. So we have planned out an easy starting loop, but there are lots of possibilities for a longer/more adventurous ride as we go along.
This site is in an area that offers lovely terrain, some spectacular views (watch out Bev – you may have competition here!), miles of trails and little-used dirt roads. The trails are mostly turf, and although for this ride the canopy may be a little low in some areas, much of the trails can be trotted or cantered, if you want. The dirt roads vary but they are all very low traffic and are decent for horses, with only few short rocky spots which can mostly be avoided by picking your way. The scenery is lovely – tended woodlots, streams, panoramic views, hills (not as steep or challenging as South Mountain or Rawdon, but hills none-the-less).
There is lots of good parking. There is no running water (ie – running out of a tap) on site, but there is spring fed water available near the parking site and there is water available on the trails. There are no washrooms on site – so plan accordingly! On the loop there may be a very short highway section – and I mean maybe 100 ft – but it has a good shoulder. If anyone doesn’t want to do it they can avoid it by backtracking, or it is possible that I can arrange an ‘escort car’ for the short distance. And lunch will be a tailgate party, as usual. The only difference is that the only cooking facilities will be whatever you bring, yourselves.
Directions:
Take rte #102 past Truro and exit at 14A (Tatamagouche & Onslow). Turn right at the stop sign.
Go approximately 4km. Turn left on #311N (towards Tatamagouche).
Go approximately 29 km to Earltown. Turn right on #326.
Go approximately 1.1 km to civic #244 on the right. There is a small brown garbage box with 2 civic numbers painted on it: #242 & 244. That is the right place. It will be marked by balloons (I’ll try for red ones). Follow the balloons until you get to the parking areas. Don’t be worried by the apparent gravel pit, this is the right place.
See you there!
Christie
This next ride is coming up fast: September 11 to be exact … that is THIS Saturday! Due to a scheduling conflict between our Georgefield venue (where we were supposed to be) and the local rifle range, we will instead be holding this Saturday’s ride in Earltown, 20 minutes outside of Truro. The Georgefield ride has been postponed tentatively to Sunday September 26 (details will follow at a later date).
Because this is a last minute venue change (as it was only just realized that we were not able to avoid active times on the rifle range in Georgefield on the Saturday date) on very short notice a brave host has ‘volunteered’ their farm in Earltown. Our hosts, Peter Watson and Bea Guimond, have not yet moved onto this lovely piece of property, but they have wanted to invite our group for a while and hope that this will be the first of many horse related activities that they will be able to host in coming years.
I am describing this ride as an ‘Exploration Ride’, as we have not had time to create the ‘perfect loops’ for our type of rides, and there are a lot of the trails that are begging to be explored. So we have planned out an easy starting loop, but there are lots of possibilities for a longer/more adventurous ride as we go along.
This site is in an area that offers lovely terrain, some spectacular views (watch out Bev – you may have competition here!), miles of trails and little-used dirt roads. The trails are mostly turf, and although for this ride the canopy may be a little low in some areas, much of the trails can be trotted or cantered, if you want. The dirt roads vary but they are all very low traffic and are decent for horses, with only few short rocky spots which can mostly be avoided by picking your way. The scenery is lovely – tended woodlots, streams, panoramic views, hills (not as steep or challenging as South Mountain or Rawdon, but hills none-the-less).
There is lots of good parking. There is no running water (ie – running out of a tap) on site, but there is spring fed water available near the parking site and there is water available on the trails. There are no washrooms on site – so plan accordingly! On the loop there may be a very short highway section – and I mean maybe 100 ft – but it has a good shoulder. If anyone doesn’t want to do it they can avoid it by backtracking, or it is possible that I can arrange an ‘escort car’ for the short distance. And lunch will be a tailgate party, as usual. The only difference is that the only cooking facilities will be whatever you bring, yourselves.
Directions:
Take rte #102 past Truro and exit at 14A (Tatamagouche & Onslow). Turn right at the stop sign.
Go approximately 4km. Turn left on #311N (towards Tatamagouche).
Go approximately 29 km to Earltown. Turn right on #326.
Go approximately 1.1 km to civic #244 on the right. There is a small brown garbage box with 2 civic numbers painted on it: #242 & 244. That is the right place. It will be marked by balloons (I’ll try for red ones). Follow the balloons until you get to the parking areas. Don’t be worried by the apparent gravel pit, this is the right place.
See you there!
Christie
Monday, August 16, 2010
D&D for August 28 Beach Ride in Yarmouth (Directions and Details)
South Western NS in August is a great time to ride. It tends to have cooler evenings (so if staying over have a light sweater/sweatshirt) but warm days. After the beach there is a km ride back to Shelley's place so not too far at all. Footing will be mainly fields and beach with some pavement on quiet roads. (She is still planning which route, as it will depend on the farmers a bit.) Barefoot is perfectly fine. If you plan to swim a synthetic saddle is much easier to deal with after the salt water if you have an option. There is also a place to put your saddle if you want to slip it off and go bareback too.
We will be having a tailgate lunch, as at previous rides. Shelley will have a couple of bigger dishes there, ready to go, just to supplement whatever . If you know that you will be coming, Shelley would appreciate knowing ahead of time: it makes planning easier if she knows approximately how many people to expect - to plan parking etc.
If you want information on local stabling &/or B&B, contact Shelley directly.
DIRECTIONS:
Take the 101 to Yarmouth.
At the end of the 101 turn RIGHT onto Starr's Rd.
Follow Starr's road until it meets Main Street (approx. 1 mile).
(At this intersection there will be McDonalds on your left and Sweeney's Funeral Home
on your right)
Turn RIGHT onto Main street and go approx ¼ km to Vancouver St.
Turn LEFT onto Vancouver St.
At this corner, in the middle of the intersection, you will see a lovely old 'gold' horse fountain from the 1800's. Go up the slight hill of Vancouver St and you will notice the Yarmouth Hospital complex on your left: the road will take a 90 degree turn to the right. Immediately past this corner there is the Grove Road to your left.
Turn onto Grove Road. After approximately 2.5 kms, you will pass a white chuch (Overton Baptist church) on your left and then the road forks.
Take the RIGHT fork which is called Overton Road. Follow this road for approx 1 km. There you will see signs for Pembroke Rd to the left.
Turn LEFT onto Pembroke Rd.
Approximately 2km on the left hand side is Shelley's place, #740 Pembroke Road.
On this road you will pass a small dyke area with a river on your right and beach on your left. This is the beach that you will be riding on shortly. The house is at the top of the small hill on the left hand side. It is the green house with the big barn beside it (also called Seahorse Stables).
Drive right in the drive way and they will direct you out to a pasture area. Shelley & Jeff can be reached at 740-4558 (cell).
We will be having a tailgate lunch, as at previous rides. Shelley will have a couple of bigger dishes there, ready to go, just to supplement whatever . If you know that you will be coming, Shelley would appreciate knowing ahead of time: it makes planning easier if she knows approximately how many people to expect - to plan parking etc.
If you want information on local stabling &/or B&B, contact Shelley directly.
DIRECTIONS:
Take the 101 to Yarmouth.
At the end of the 101 turn RIGHT onto Starr's Rd.
Follow Starr's road until it meets Main Street (approx. 1 mile).
(At this intersection there will be McDonalds on your left and Sweeney's Funeral Home
on your right)
Turn RIGHT onto Main street and go approx ¼ km to Vancouver St.
Turn LEFT onto Vancouver St.
At this corner, in the middle of the intersection, you will see a lovely old 'gold' horse fountain from the 1800's. Go up the slight hill of Vancouver St and you will notice the Yarmouth Hospital complex on your left: the road will take a 90 degree turn to the right. Immediately past this corner there is the Grove Road to your left.
Turn onto Grove Road. After approximately 2.5 kms, you will pass a white chuch (Overton Baptist church) on your left and then the road forks.
Take the RIGHT fork which is called Overton Road. Follow this road for approx 1 km. There you will see signs for Pembroke Rd to the left.
Turn LEFT onto Pembroke Rd.
Approximately 2km on the left hand side is Shelley's place, #740 Pembroke Road.
On this road you will pass a small dyke area with a river on your right and beach on your left. This is the beach that you will be riding on shortly. The house is at the top of the small hill on the left hand side. It is the green house with the big barn beside it (also called Seahorse Stables).
Drive right in the drive way and they will direct you out to a pasture area. Shelley & Jeff can be reached at 740-4558 (cell).
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